Readings
OPINION Kev, we're excited- The Herald Sun
28/11/2007
THE youth vote was the difference between Labor and the Coalition in the election.
Polls pointed to a million-vote gap between the ALP and the Coalition among young voters, which was enough on its own to bring victory.
Kevin Rudd earned the votes of young people because he responded to their concerns and aspirations.
On the issues that inspire young voters, there was a clear policy difference on display this election.
On climate change, Rudd promised to ratify the Kyoto Protocol and embrace a far more aggressive response to global warming.
On tackling world poverty, the ALP delivered a commitment to dramatically raise the level of foreign aid and embrace the UN millennium goals.
On these issues, John Howard was either silent or barely audible. Despite continued calls to make a bipartisan agenda, the Howard government chose not to act.
The Liberal Party is now paying the price for ignoring these pleas.
They made the mistake of thinking that global poverty and climate change mattered to only a small demographic.
They were so wrong. Earlier this year, the Oaktree Foundation toured regional and rural Australia to promote the anti-poverty agenda and was met with passionate support from all walks of life.
Labor's education revolution was also a winner for young voters still in high school, in university or bringing up young families.
Kevin Rudd promised a computer per student for high school students in years 9 to 12, HECS cuts for those who pursue maths or science degrees, tax cuts to ease the burdens of the cost of education for young families and an extra 450,000 skilled training places.
This revolution offers direct benefits and opportunities for the education and training for most young voters.
The Liberal Party has retained its traditional advantage over Labor among older voters. But the gap between the parties among young voters is much greater. This is ominous news for the Coalition.
Seats such as Makin in South Australia demonstrate the point. The Liberals held the seat by under 1 per cent and on election night the ALP enjoyed a swing of almost 9 per cent.
Over a quarter of Makin's voters are under 35 and Kevin Rudd's popularity with that age group undoubtedly played a huge part.
In Lindsay, where the ALP swung 10 per cent, 30 per cent of the voters were under 35 and overwhelmingly supportive of Rudd.
Similar stories played out in Moreton in Queensland and Deakin in Melbourne.
Many first-time voters are not locked into political preferences and they will be watching carefully to see if Labor delivers on the promises and ideas that won their votes.
If Kevin Rudd fails to deliver, those votes will be up for grabs next time, if the Liberal Party chooses to fight for them.
Kevin Rudd will become Prime Minister in large part because he had the wisdom listen to Australia's young people.
To ride this tidal wave of support in future elections he must act on climate change and global poverty, the issues that galvanise young Australians more than any other.
HUGH EVANS is director of the youth-based Oaktree Foundation and was Young Australian of the Year in 2004
